The Lustgarten Foundation Says Patrick Swayze's Death Highlights the Need for Increased Research into Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation's largest private supporter of research into better detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer, today issued the following statement on the disease that took actor Patrick Swayze's life.

Kerri Kaplan, Lustgarten Foundation Executive Director, said: "We all mourn the death of beloved actor Patrick Swayze. His courageous, public battle with pancreatic cancer serves as an inspiration for anyone suffering from a life-threatening disease. It reminded us that pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer there is -- even for someone as fit and positive as Mr. Swayze. His loss underscores the fact that our only weapon against this disease, which has a survival rate of just 5 percent, is a continued commitment to funding research that will enhance our understanding of pancreatic cancer, improve early diagnosis and treatment options, and one day, lead us to a cure. We will not back down from the battle against pancreatic cancer. Patrick Swayze never did. We are all deeply saddened by his death."

About The Lustgarten Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer

The Lustgarten Foundation, based in Bethpage, New York, is America's largest private foundation working solely on pancreatic cancer research. The Foundation provides critical support in the search for better diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic cancer, and to date has provided more than $22 million to more than 110 research projects at some of the world's most prestigious medical and research centers.

The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and entertainment company, together launched curePC, a public awareness campaign that uses Cablevision's high-profile assets to draw attention to the fight against pancreatic cancer. As part of this campaign, Cablevision made a multi-year commitment to underwrite all of The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs to ensure that 100 percent of every dollar donated to The Foundation will go directly to pancreatic cancer research. To learn more, visit www.curepc.org.